Ways to Use Goji Berries
By Tracy Rohland
Goji berries or “happy” berries have been used for centuries in East Asian food and medicine. This mild, tangy fruit is a little sweet and sour and is usually found dried. It has been used by Chinese herbalists to help eyesight, protect the liver, boost immune function, and to promote longevity. Because of their high antioxidant qualities, adding goji berries to your diet can be very beneficial.
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How Do You Use Goji Berries?
- RAW:
First and foremost, eat them raw! A small handful a day will do.
- JUICE:
Goji berries are also available in juice form. Down to Earth carries 100% Goji Juice without any added sugar, or color.
- TEA:
Goji berries can be used to brew in a tea. You can add a handful of goji berries to a big glass of hot or cold water (or herb tea) and let sit and hydrate for 5 to 10 minutes. They become plump and juicy. You can drink the tea and eat the hydrated berries which are loaded with antioxidants.
- SMOOTHIES:
Soak a handful of goji berries in water for 10 minutes. Once they are plump and juicy, add them to your favorite smoothie. It won’t make much of a change to the taste or consistency of your smoothie.
- TRAIL MIX:
You can also add goji berries to your favorite trail mix. Or, make your own by mixing your favorite nuts and dried fruit with some goji berries. Kids like it when you add some chocolate or peanut butter chips to the goji trail mix.
- CEREAL: Just like raisins, add some goji berries to your hot or cold cereals in the morning.
- MUFFINS and SCONES: Add goji berries to muffins or scones just as you would raisins.
Try this delicious Goji scone recipe:
Goji Berry Scones
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 ½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
2 Tbs. cold butter, cut into small pieces
½ cup goji berries
½ cup chopped walnuts, optional
¾ cup heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Milk and Sugar, for glaze |
Procedure:
- Preheat oven to 400. Grease an 8-inch circle in center of baking sheet.
- In large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix in lemon zest. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add goji berries and walnuts, and toss well.
- In a small bowl, mix cream and vanilla. Make well in center of dry mixture and add cream. Stir just until dough pulls together. With floured hands, knead 3 or 4 times in bowl.
- Pat dough into 7-inch circle on floured cutting board. Slice dough into 6 or 8 wedges, as you would a pie. Reassemble slices in center of baking sheet, leaving 1/8 inch between pieces.
- Brush scones lightly with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until golden brown, 16 to 18 minutes. Cool on sheet 1 minute, then loosen scones with spatula and slide batch onto wire cooling rack. Let cool completely.
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8. GOJI ENERGY BARS: Blend a handful of goji berries together with cup of walnuts, ½ cup almonds, and 5-6 dates in a food processor. Roll the mix into balls or spread in a deep pan to make bars.
9. ADD TO SOUPS: This has been a common use of goji berries in Chinese cuisine for thousands of years.
Here is an easy recipe for Chinese Sweet and Sour Soup with goji berries:
Chinese Sweet and Sour Soup
1 1/2 cup firm tofu, cubed (6-8 oz.)
2 tablespoons oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon soy sauce
32 oz vegetable broth (can use bottled or make with veggie bouillon cubes)
2 cups water
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 handful goji berries (1/3 cup)
Lemon slices
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Procedure:
1. In a medium skillet, pan fry tofu in oil on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Sprinkle tofu with salt and set aside.
2. Mix the cornstarch with 3 Tbsp. water and soy sauce. Combine with the vegetable broth and water in a medium-sized pot. Bring to boil; stir often; add the tofu, mushrooms, vinegar, honey, and goji berries. Heat. Simmer 5 minutes. Serve with a slice of lemon in each bowl. |
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